Doctor Who_ The Roundheads - Mark Gatiss [70]
This second stairway seemed narrower than the first and perceptibly older. What she could see of the steps in the candlelight showed them to be of splintered, spiralled wood, rising up into the darkness.
Polly took a deep a breath and moved swiftly up them, grimacing as the pressure of her feet made the ancient wood groan.
The landing on to which she emerged was far better lit and much more cheerfully furnished than what she had so far seen of the castle. Huge and elaborate tapestries of crimson and gold hung from the walls, depicting scenes of bygone hunting days, picked out in delicate thread.
Spluttering lanterns were bracketed to the walls on either side of an impressive set of double doors and standing stiffly before them were two Roundhead guards, pikes in hand, their faces set into hard, unyielding frowns.
Polly took in all this in an instant as she poked her head around the top of the stairway. She jerked back into the shadows and took stock of the situation, trying to keep the tray steady in her shaking hands.
Whyte had told her very clearly what was to happen. His agents within the castle had drugged most of the Parliamentarian guard but it would be impossible to get near the two actually guarding the King’s quarters. This was where Polly would come in.
She set the tray down on the top step and felt around in the candlelight until her fingers came upon a small glass phial.
Inside was a glutinous, honey-coloured substance and, with the greatest care, Polly poured it into the jug of wine.
Stirring it rapidly with the candle taper, she watched as the red liquid swirled in a little vortex within the jug. At last she was satisfied and, picking up the tray once more, stole quietly into the passageway.
The Roundhead guards responded immediately.
The closer one, indistinguishable from his companion because of his helmet, swung round and jabbed his pike within inches of Polly’s abdomen.
‘Halt!’ he barked hoarsely. ‘What do you want?’
Polly put on her sweetest smile. ‘It’s only the King’s food,’ she said simply. ‘We can’t have him starving, now, can we?’
The guard kept his pike in place. ‘Where’s Margaret?’
Polly was prepared. ‘Oh, she’s taken on bad, she has.’
The other guard stepped forward. ‘Oh, no,’ he said with genuine concern. ‘Poor Peg? What ails her?’
Polly let out a fearful moan. ‘An ague, it is. Shivering like all the snows of the north had settled on her bed.’
She smiled inwardly, rather pleased with the simile. The guard’s pike drooped in response. ‘I’d not heard,’ he said in a low whisper.
His companion let out a cruel little laugh. ‘Why, Sam. And you meant to be engaged to the girl!’
Polly felt a little lurch in her stomach, immediately regretting the elaborate nature of Margaret’s feigned illness.
‘Oh, no. Don’t take on so. She’ll be fine, I’m sure. She’s gone to her bed and will see no one. I shouldn’t take it personally.’
The guard called Sam lifted up his visor and his face was full of anxious concern. ‘Do you really think so?’
Polly nodded confidently. ‘You know what’s she’s like.
She wouldn’t want the man she loves to see her in such a state.’
The other guard laughed raucously. ‘Aye, that’s true enough, Sam. Your Peg’ll not be seen without a dollop of rouge and powder all over her pretty face.’
They seemed satisfied and Polly made to move towards the door, but the first guard didn’t move. He lowered his pike but shifted his armoured bulk a few inches to block her path.
‘So, no Margaret but a new young lass instead, eh?’ Polly nodded demurely. ‘And who might you be?’ asked the guard, lifting his own visor. His gaze travelled rapidly and appreciatively over Polly’s figure.
‘I’m Master Spufford’s niece. Polly.’
The guard grinned. ‘Why, who’d’ve thought the dry old sticks in Spufford’s brood would have juice in their loins enough to sire a kiddie? Never mind such a bonny one as this.’
He reached out with his gloved hand and gently caressed Polly’s cheek. She stopped herself from brushing him away and fluttered her eyelashes instead. Lord, the things she did for the Doctor!